January 9, 2020 at 10:00 AM - State Board of Education

Description:  The applicant data from this information is used to compile the Applicant Flow Chart forms for the Affirmative Action Report, which demonstrates the composition of applicants through the selecting, hiring, promoting and terminating process.  The information is needed to measure the effectiveness of the agency's recruitment, hiring and promotion efforts and is in conformity with federal government guidelines, which require the agency to compile statistical information about applicants for employment. 

Description:  Per Act 648 of 1993, Community Service Learning, community-based organizations may apply to their local school board for approval to work with school districts as a community service site provider.  These site applications are presented to the State Board of Education (SBE) twice a year, July/August and December/January.  The attached two sites have sent in application for SBE approval.

Description:  Arkansas Code Annotated §6-17-309 requires local school districts to secure a waiver when classrooms are staffed with unlicensed teachers for longer than 30 days. Requests were received from 12 school districts covering a total of 15  waivers. There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 27 school districts, educational service cooperatives, and behavioral facilities requesting a total of 47 waivers for long-term substitutes. These requests have been reviewed, were either approved or denied by Division staff, and are consistent with program guidelines. 

Description:  Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2.  An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a One-Year Probation; assess a $250.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal taking Course ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); Bullying, Mental Health, and Student Safety: Understanding Links, Legal Requirements, and Best Practices: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv7jD0BtWo&feature=youtu.be;
PIA 14006: Guiding Children Successfully, Episode 1: Effective Motivation for Children; SPC 17011: Introduction to Behavior: Supporting Effective Behavior; Educator will provide written reflections stating how each of these trainings will impact educator’s role as an educator and coach. To be completed within (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Tew). Accepted 11/18/19

Description:  Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2.  An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a Three-Year Probation; assess a $250.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal taking Course ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); Bullying, Mental Health, and Student Safety: Understanding Links, Legal Requirements, and Best Practices: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv7jD0BtWo&feature=youtu.be;
PIA 14006: Guiding Children Successfully, Episode 1: Effective Motivation for Children; SPC 17011: Introduction to Behavior: Supporting Effective Behavior; Educator will provide written reflections stating how each of these trainings will impact educator’s role as an educator and coach. To be completed within (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Mattox). Accepted 11/18/19

Description:  Violation of Standard 6.  An educator keeps in confidence secure standardized test materials and results, and maintains integrity regarding test administration procedures.  The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a Written Reprimand; assess a $100.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal taking Course ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); ADE In-House Testing Security Training; Educator will provide written reflections stating how each of these trainings will affect the educator’s decisions in regards to testing in the future.  To be completed within (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Quoss). Accepted 12/04/19

Description:  The Child Health Advisory Committee (CHAC) was created in 2003 by the Arkansas General Assembly through Act 1220 of 2003. The purpose of Act 1220 and CHAC was to establish a formal group of professionals who would focus on obesity prevention strategies with a specific emphasis on public school students through the implementation of the Coordinated School Health Program.

The committee meets monthly to review the most relevant trends; promising practices, policies, and resources; and state and local activities. Following this review, CHAC develops recommended best practices for education professionals, public health professionals, business leaders, policy makers, and community leaders across the State.

Description:  Ms. Cloyes holds a teacher’s license issued by the State Board.  The Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators provides that the State Board may remove a PLSB recommendation from the consent agenda for further review.  Ms. Cloyes’s case was removed from the December consent agenda and placed on the January action agenda. Ms. Cloyes is represented by attorney Mr. Clayton Blackstock.

Description:  Ms. Brimer holds a teacher’s license issued by the State Board. The Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators provides that an Educator may object to the Ethics Hearing Subcommittee’s written findings and recommendations. The Educator’s objection triggers a full review by the State Board. Ms. Brimer is represented by attorney Mr. Matt Benson 

Description:  Ms. Geer is a preservice teacher and subject to the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators. The Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators provides that an Educator may object to the Ethics Hearing Subcommittee’s written findings and recommendations. The Educator’s objection triggers a full review by the State Board. Ms. Geer is represented by attorney Ms. Jennifer Flinn. 

Description:  In August the State Board approved the LEAP program as a way for Southern Arkansas University (SAU) to form a partnership with Magnolia School district for using student teachers in different roles.  In November additional districts were added. SAU requests approval again to expand the program to other districts.

Description:  Arkansas Tech University (ATU) requests approval to allow partner districts to use student teachers as long-term substitutes while completing their internship.

Description:  The Arkansas Department of Education presents the following high school course requirements to the State Board of Education for approval: Arkansas Thirty-Eight Required Courses.

Description:  Pursuant to the authority granted to the State Board of Education, Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) respectfully requests approval for reallocation of slots for the Sixth Round of ABC Grants for the 2019-2020 school year.

Description:  According to Arkansas Code Annotated 6-15-103, a school district can petition the State Board of Education for all or some of the waivers granted to an Open-Enrollment Public Charter School.  Representatives of the LaFayette School District are appealing to the Board with a petition of waivers.

Description:  On December 17, 2019, representatives of Fountain Lake Charter High School appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a renewal of their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the Panel decision has been submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's decision at the next State Board meeting.     

Description:  On December 17, 2019, representatives of Mountain Home High School Career Academies appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a renewal of their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the Panel decision has been submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's decision at the next State Board meeting.     

Description:  On December 17, 2019, representatives of Osceola STEM Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a renewal of their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the Panel decision has been submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's decision at the next State Board meeting.     

Description:  On December 17, 2019, representatives of Siloam Springs High School appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a renewal of their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the Panel decision has been submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's decision at the next State Board meeting.     

Description:  On December 17, 2019, representatives of Southside Charter High School appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a renewal of their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the Panel decision has been submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's decision at the next State Board meeting.     

Description:  On December 17, 2019, representatives of Academic Plus Charter School appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a renewal of their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the Panel decision has been submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's decision at the next State Board meeting.     

Description:  On December 18, 2019, representatives of Arkansas Virtual Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a renewal of their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the Panel decision has been submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's decision at the next State Board meeting.     

Description:  On December 18, 2019, representatives of Capital City Lighthouse appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a renewal of their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the Panel decision has been submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's decision at the next State Board meeting.     

Description:  On December 18, 2019, representatives of Southeast Arkansas Preparatory High School appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel for a review of their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel voted to revoke the charter.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the Panel decision has been submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's decision at the next State Board meeting.     

Description:  On October 10, 2019,the State Board released these rules for public comment (pending Governor's Office approval).  A public comment hearing was held and the public comment period ended December 3, 2019.  Non-substantive changes were made to the rules as the result of public comment.  The Division respectfully requests that the State Board give its final approval to these rule.  

Description:  Consideration of the 2018-2019 Annual Statistical Report
In compliance with the provisions of A.C.A. §§ 6-20-2201 et.seq., the Annual Statistical Report of the Public Schools of Arkansas, Public Charter Schools, and Education Service Cooperatives, 2018-2019 Actual and 2019-2020 Budgeted, (ASR) is hereby submitted. The Ranking of Selected Items of the Public Schools of Arkansas, 2018-2019 Actual, (Rankings) are also included.